Dakota Cornelius of Huntington faces charges after dirt-bike crash sends him and passenger to hospital

HUNTINGTON — A man and woman from Huntington were hospitalized after an overnight dirt bike crash left them injured on the bank of the Westfield River.

Driver Dakota Cornelius, 21, has been charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol causing serious bodily injury, operating a recreational vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and a helmet violation, according to state police.

Trooper Donald Wilmot spotted a crashed dirt bike on Route 112 near Country Road in Huntington about 12:10 a.m. Thursday.

While investigating the wreck, Wilmot heard a voice coming from the nearby woods and found Cornelius and his passenger, Stefanie Maxwell, 22, at the bottom of an icy embankment of the river, police said.

An investigation determined Cornelius was operating the bike with no headlight and was impaired by alcohol, according to police. No further details about how the crash occurred were available.

Cornelius and Maxwell both had serious but non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, police said.

A hospital spokeswoman said Thursday afternoon that Maxwell was listed in good condition. Information about Cornelius’ condition was not available.